She was supposed to be comforting Miles Sherman, but Zoe Pierce ended up feeling melancholic, too.

"Just... take it one step at a time, I guess..." Zoe Pierce said.

’Weren’t we talking about him, though? How did this become about me?’

"No matter what, Miles, you have to believe in your own choices." Zoe Pierce decided to stop overthinking it. People’s hearts are always biased, and this wasn’t some issue of principle.

It was natural to side with loved ones over logic.

"We’ll all support you," she said.

Miles Sherman thought, ’She only says that because she has no idea what I’m really thinking.’

But seeing Zoe Pierce’s beaming smile, he couldn’t help but smile back. "I know."

Seeing his mood finally lighten, Zoe Pierce even gave him a mischievous suggestion. "If you need help, ask Nathan Lockwood. He’s full of ideas."

Miles hadn’t specified what his problem was, so she was considerate enough not to ask.

’That’s no different from sending a sheep into a wolf’s den. It’s like dragging someone straight into the abyss.’

’She really has no idea.’

Miles smiled. "Zoe, let’s go to the training room. I think I’ve figured it out."

He gently patted the back of Zoe Pierce’s head. ’Who could ever refuse the light?’ he thought.

Time and again, she had keenly sensed his thoughts. Time and again, she had coincidentally appeared by his side.

And now she had adorably given him another terrible piece of advice.

Zoe Pierce raised an eyebrow at him. "You really figured it out?"

Miles smiled at her. "Yeah. Like you said, even if I make a mistake, I can always turn back."

"So, if it’s a mistake, it’s a mistake."

"But what if... it’s right?"

There was no arguing with that. Zoe Pierce replied, "People can’t guarantee that the decisions they make are the right ones before they make them."

"Exactly. So, what if it’s right?"

’Even the person at the center of it all is saying this. What reason do I have to keep wavering?’

Miles glanced at the time. "Let’s go. I’ll go to the training room with you."

’Looks like he’s really okay now.’

’He’s even willing to go to the training room he just refused to enter.’

It was certainly better to be in a lively group than to be alone, lost in his thoughts.

Especially in a place with Erin Xavier. If he was trying to cheer someone up, it was hard not to feel happy yourself.

Zoe Pierce and Miles Sherman went to the training room together.

The training room was just an excuse for Erin Xavier to see Zoe Pierce, so he wasn’t surprised to find Miles there as well.

Zoe had told him before she came over.

More at ease than Zoe, he casually slung an arm over Miles’s shoulder. "Miles, want to have a match to blow off some steam? Mecha or hand-to-hand, I’m good with either."

Miles pushed him away lightly. "No need. I’ve figured it out."

Erin Xavier was clearly curious. "What could possibly have you so conflicted?"

He had known Miles for so many years and had rarely seen him like this; Miles had always been decisive and composed when making decisions.

"Whether to go into politics in the future," Miles said, casually pulling a topic out of thin air.

His life had been planned out long ago; the path after his graduation from the military academy was already set.

As expected, Erin Xavier didn’t press him on such a major life question.

It wasn’t his place to make that kind of decision for Miles. He just smiled. "All right, as long as you’ve figured it out."

Erin then spent a little more time being lovey-dovey with Zoe.

Miles stood off to the side, watching them without a word.

It was a rare moment, observing all this with newfound clarity.

But after a few minutes, his thoughts began to wander.

His one-month deadline. After the joint exams, he still had half a month left.

Nathan Lockwood and the others had all done their utmost to show her their best qualities. What could he possibly do?

’I’m such a boring person...’

The one thing he didn’t want was to leave her with the impression that he was boring.

*

Fourteen days and fifteen hours into the starship’s flight.

They had arrived at Frontier Star.

Seven or eight massive starships were docked at ports in their respective sectors.

Director Quinn led Zoe Pierce and the others to meet several figures they had previously only seen in the news.

"This is the Beta representative, Chief Councilor Quentin Ford," Ryan Jacobs, who was accompanying them, explained to Zoe and the others as they watched Director Quinn schmoozing.

"The last time you all went to Siren Star, Director Quinn came under fire, and it was Councilor Ford who helped him out."

This wasn’t much of a secret. At the time, everyone had wondered how Quentin Ford and Jasper Quinn were connected.

Miles Sherman was more informed on these matters than the others. "Councilor Ford has a vast network. He’s also known for being quite amiable and is well-liked by the public."

Ryan Jacobs nodded and pointed to another area. "Over there is Samuel King, Director King."

"He’s the top official in charge of the entire media broadcast for The Federation this time."

Compared to the amiable-looking Quentin Ford, Director King appeared much more spirited and was surrounded by a larger entourage.

Having finished his conversation with Director Quinn, Quentin Ford walked over, followed by Secretary Lewis.

"It’s not often I get to chase a star myself. Zoe Pierce, Pierce, I’ve heard so much about you." Quentin Ford’s witty opening left Zoe feeling overwhelmed by the honor.

She smiled at Quentin Ford, and as he extended his hand, she gave a slight bow and shook it. "You’re too kind, sir."

Quentin Ford chuckled. "I’m not exaggerating. I watched the entire league, and I even watched your training at the First Military Academy."

"Isn’t that right, Justin?"

Justin Lewis smiled from the side. "I can certainly testify to that, Councilor."

"Very impressive. It’s truly not easy for an Omega to have come this far." Quentin Ford withdrew his hand. "This is the final hurdle. Once you cross it, the sky’s the limit."

"Keep it up."

Zoe Pierce nodded. "Understood. Thank you, sir."

Quentin Ford’s gaze shifted to the four people behind Zoe Pierce. "As for you four, I won’t lavish you with praise. I hear plenty about you on a regular basis."

"Alright, I just came over to say hello. Don’t be so formal. Get some good rest these next few days."

"The friendship match is in your hands now. Bring glory to The Federation."

He left with a smile. Even though each of them was a warrior who had fought tooth and nail on the battlefield, when it came to social interactions like this, they were all still greenhorns.

Aside from Miles Sherman and Nathan Lockwood, who knew a little of what to do, the rest were, to a one, hopelessly awkward.

Not long after Quentin Ford left, Samuel King—Director King—walked over.

Zoe Pierce could feel that while Councilor Ford’s visit had been pleasant, like a spring breeze, Director King’s arrival put everyone on high alert, including Ryan Jacobs and the other instructors.

It seemed Director King’s reputation wasn’t the best.

Even Director Quinn, who had been busy socializing nearby, came over.

Naturally, he had to protect his own students.

They were all sharp people; of course Samuel King could see what they were thinking. But he felt they were overthinking things this time.

This broadcast was a stepping stone for his career; why would he jeopardize it?

He didn’t care what the others thought, however. Instead, he simply gazed at Zoe Pierce’s group with a broad smile. "You’ve all worked hard in training these past six months. This time, it’s a Federation-wide live broadcast."

"Show them what you’ve got."

"Especially you, Student Zoe Pierce. You’re our trump card, so don’t slack off."

He had specially prepared state-of-the-art cameras to capture every single one of Zoe Pierce’s details. It wouldn’t be like the joint exams, where some things were inevitably missed, resulting in incomplete recordings.

A Federation-wide broadcast was no joke. It was a real-time, Interstellar Space-wide synchronized event—a spectacle for the entire populace.

Even the dark web had already started taking bets.